'Music Is Always With Me, And Always With My People'

Syrian musician Omar Souleyman has been working on his craft with the same band of collaborators for 20 years now, mixing the disparate tones of Syrian Dabke, Iraqi Choubi, Arabic, Turkish and Kurdish music into one seamless whole. They’ve upgraded over time from solely traditional instrumentation to incorporating a lot of synths and drum machines into their sound, but that’s basically the extent of western influence on this intoxicating music.

Souleyman’s war-torn homeland is racked with civil unrest and he’s now in exile, but you would never discern the horror that he’s witnessed from the hypnotic grooves and enchanting chants that typify his now electro-tinged output. This is music to make you forget your troubles, only the issues they face in that part of the world are a little more life-and-death than the dramas that we view as so all-consuming. Ahead of his return Australian sojourn, Souleyman took the time out to answer some questions from The Music on the man and his unique art.

Has music always played a large part in your life?

We always had music in our house, in our friends’ houses, in all the village and all over the region. Music is always with me, and always with my people. Since I was a child I started to sing first to myself at home and my family and friends told me I had a good voice. So much, later it turned out to be so.

Is the music you make typical of the music created and performed in northern Syria?

Yes, that is right. The music is our very traditional music and it is quite particular to my region and the peoples who live around these parts.

Is music an important part of Syrian culture and daily life?

Like I told you before, it is a big part of our lives but it is our second self – we do not really think about it that way. Music is always there with us but of course it mostly comes out these days in special occasions and celebrations, if there are still any.

Your songs are very emotive to listen to – what are the main lyrical subjects that you cover in your songs?

My songs are about love mainly. About love and everything related to it – impossible love, the pain of love, its joy, flirtations, difficulties of love and family, things like this; praising or missing your beloved, fighting for love against your rivals…

What kind of emotions are you trying to convey to the listener with your music?

The emotions are those I just told you the lyrics speak of – but as oftentimes I perform for audiences who do not exactly understand my lyrics, we communicate in different ways and all kinds of emotions are shared. Especially the love of dance and having a good time.

Do you prefer the process of creating music (writing songs) or sharing music (playing songs live) the most?

I cannot say right now. I, of course, find the time live with my audience very special every time but now lately I have spent more time in the studio and am really pleased with the results – this is somewhat a new thing for me, so I cannot precisely tell you the answer.

Is it true that you have been responsible for over 500 releases (including live recordings)?

That is very true that more than 700 tapes of my music have been released. These are tapes from weddings and celebrations that I sang, and the families who were organising them recorded the tapes most of the time to offer them as present to either the bride and groom or other people celebrating.

Do you think your music is experienced best in the live setting?

Of course, it is the best thing – I think so – but not all my fans are able to come to my shows, so also my albums are a good way but live is definitely different!

I saw your perform at Meredith Festival in 2012 (and it was beautiful) – have you enjoyed your past visits to Australia?

Oh, thank you for coming. That was very memorable time, and a memorable show with a very enthusiastic audience. I remember. And yes, every time I have been to Australia I have had overwhelming experience of joy to see my fans like they are. I am happy always to return to Australia and look forward to this time very much.

You are playing three more festivals on this visit and have played at Bonnaroo, Glastonbury, ATP and SONAR (to name but a few) – do you enjoy playing festivals and finding new listeners that way?

I have done many festivals in Australia before as well, but this time around it's mixed – yes. To me, festival audiences as well as smaller intimate shows are both great fun. It could be also a festival that is hosting a show in a venue that isn’t a huge field of people.

Do you think that it’s possible to make positive change in the world through art and music?

Yes, I am sure that is possible. I hope I am contributing.